Read Online The Sky is Falling by Kit Pearson - Free Book Online Page B

return to. They are Canada’s war guests. We’re hosting them for the duration. If you want to sponsor a child you’ll have to ask your own government.”
    The next day Miss Carmichael brought them the evening paper. Lucy’s and Johnnie’s pictures wereincluded, among many others, over a story headed “Young British War Guests Blowing Peaceful Bubbles at Hart House.”
    â€œWe’ll have to send this home!” cried Dulcie. “Do you see how they put in your words, Lucy?”
    Norah couldn’t find herself or Gavin in the photographs. It made her feel more than ever that she wasn’t really here.

9
    Alenoushka
    T owards the end of the week the “nominated” children left to go to their friends and relatives. “Goodbye, Norah,” said Dulcie hesitantly, as Miss Carmichael helped her carry her luggage to the door of Falconer House. “Do you think we’ll see each other again?” She ran her tongue over her raw lips; her rash was worse.
    â€œI’m sure you will,” said Miss Carmichael. “The Milnes can find out from us where Norah is living, and there’s going to be a party for all of you at Christmas.”
    Norah walked with Dulcie as far as the door and waved, surprised at feeling sad. Goosey and Loosey were a trial, but they were faces from home.
    â€œWhen will Gavin and I go?” she asked Miss Carmichael that night. “Do you know who we’ll be living with?”
    â€œNot yet, but we’ll match you up with someone as soon as possible. We need your beds for the next batch of children and school has already started. But don’t worry, the response has been tremendous.”
    That was on Thursday. On Saturday, Norah heard hername mentioned as she came down the corridor to their room. Miss Carmichael was helping Mrs. Ellis change the sheets.
    â€œThey’ve decided on a place for Norah and Gavin,” Miss Carmichael was saying.
    Norah froze and listened intently. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but this was important. She couldn’t catch the name Miss Carmichael gave in answer to Mrs. Ellis’s question.
    â€œThe family only wanted a boy,” Miss Carmichael continued, “but they’ve persuaded them to take Norah as well. I do hope she’ll settle in. Gavin is so sweet, but Norah can be difficult. She’s such a loner, it isn’t natural.”
    Norah was enraged. Gavin was the difficult one, not her! Did Miss Carmichael enjoy changing his sheets and washing out his pyjamas every day?
    â€œI thought they’d be sent to the country,” said Mrs. Ellis. “They come from a small village, don’t they?”
    â€œI would have thought that would be more suitable, but apparently the woman was very specific about having as young a boy as possible—and Gavin’s the only five-year-old left. I shouldn’t be saying this, but I imagine they couldn’t very well refuse her, she has so much money.”
    Norah shuffled her feet to let them know she was approaching.
    â€œThere you are, Norah!” Miss Carmichael smiled. As with Mrs. Pym, Norah had the feeling she felt sorry for her. “I have wonderful news! A family called Ogilvie would be delighted to have you and Gavin be their guestsfor the war. There are two ladies—Mrs. Ogilvie, who’s a widow, and her daughter. You’ll be staying right here in Toronto—isn’t that nice? You’re lucky—the Ogilvies are very well off and you’ll be living in a grand house in Rosedale. What do you think of that?”’
    It was far too much information to absorb at one time. Besides, the Ogilvies didn’t want her —just Gavin. All Norah could say was, “When do we go?”
    â€œSomeone will pick you up tomorrow after lunch. Now come and help me pack your things.”
    E ARLY SUNDAY MORNING the children were taken to church. The night before, Norah’s dwindling group had